Texas SR-22 Insurance: Liability requirements, Filing, Duration, Costs, Types

Who needs SR‑22 Insurance in Texas?

Only high‑risk drivers need an SR22 insurance certificate. If you keep a clean driving record, you will never need to file one because you do not risk losing your driver’s license.

SR‑22 insurance in Texas is a requirement after a conviction of a major traffic violation that results in losing your driver’s license for a period of time. The state of Texas will notify you when you are required to file an SR‑22.

An SR‑22 insurance requirement in Texas comes after committing at least one of the following serious driving offenses:

• Driving while intoxicated (DWI)

• Driving without insurance

• Multiple traffic violations

• Driving on a suspended license

• Multiple At‑Fault Accidents

Texas Minimum Liability Car Insurance Requirements

Texas requires at least $30,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $60,000 in bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability per accident (30/60/25). An SR-22 proves to the Texas DPS that a driver carries at least these limits. Texas Transportation Code Chapter 601 sets these mandatory minimums, and the Texas Department of Public Safety publishes them. Raising your limits is recommended, because the state minimums may not cover a serious accident.

You must meet at least the 30/60/25 minimum liability coverage to file an SR-22 in Texas. Driving below the minimum can trigger a license suspension or revocation.

An SR-22 only proves that you carry the 30/60/25 minimum, so uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you when an uninsured driver hits you. About 13.8% of Texas drivers were uninsured in 2022 (Insurance Research Council)

How long do drivers need an SR‑22 Certificate in Texas?

Texas drivers must carry an SR-22 for 2 years from the date of the most recent conviction. The 2-year period is shorter than the 3-year period most states require. Keep coverage continuous for the full 2 years, because a lapse can restart the requirement. At the end date, your insurer removes the SR-22 filing and notifies the Texas DPS.

For a crash judgment, the 2-year period runs from the date the court rendered the judgment, per the Texas DPS.

SR-22 requirement periods depend on the conviction. A repeat offense or a serious violation can extend the period beyond 2 years.

How do I get an SR‑22 Certificate in Texas?

To get an SR-22 in Texas, follow these steps:

1. Buy or keep an auto policy that meets Texas's 30/60/25 minimum liability coverage.

2. Ask your insurer or Insurance Navy to file the SR-22 with the Texas DPS.

3. Pay the one-time filing fee of $15 to $35.

4. Keep coverage continuous for the full 2-year period.

Your insurer files the SR-22 with the Texas DPS, and the filing posts quickly. Confirm the SR-22 is on file before you drive.

How much does a Texas SR‑22 Insurance Certificate Cost?

A Texas SR-22 filing fee is a one-time charge of $15 to $35, and most insurers charge about $25. The filing fee is separate from your car insurance premium. Your premium is higher after the violation that triggered the SR-22. Full-coverage car insurance in Texas averages about $1,799 a year for a clean-record driver, and an SR-22 driver typically pays more.

A driver who needs an SR-22 after a coverage lapse must also buy at least the 30/60/25 minimum coverage. Pay your premium on time while the SR-22 is in effect. A missed payment can cancel the SR-22. A driver without auto insurance must buy a new policy that includes the SR-22 filing. Tell your insurance agent about the SR-22 requirement, so the agent files the correct documents with the Texas DPS. Learn more about SR‑22 Insurance from the Texas Department of Public Safety.